The meaning of the 10th amendment was changed by the Civil War

Reader comment on: Michael Gerson on Rand Paul and the Tea Party

Submitted by Lyle (United States), May 21, 2010 10:44

Despite the protestations of the original intent folks, the meaning of the constitution has been changed by events. If you read the constitution, unless you assume it includes the articles of confederation by reference (the articles say it's a perpetual union), the right to secession is reserved to the states (Not being explicitly mentioned in the constitution). However the Civil war effectively removed that part of the 10th amendment's meaning by extra constitutional means. (600,000 killed tends to have that effect). Note also that the Civil War changed the singular plural sense of the name united states, from these United States, to the United States. So further the integration of the US into one market in the 1865-1890 time frame changed the meaning, as almost all commerce became potentially interstate.

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Other reader comments on this item

Title By Date
The refounding of the Constitutional Republic in 2010. [514 words]Fernando RuizMay 30, 2010 12:15
It's too late [32 words]LisaMay 21, 2010 20:28
An attack on the "anti-government" straw man...from a conservative? [198 words]BrettMay 21, 2010 18:56
⇒ The meaning of the 10th amendment was changed by the Civil War [130 words]LyleMay 21, 2010 10:44
It worked pretty well for whom?
[w/response] [202 words]		benjaminMay 21, 2010 10:22

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